Combined Effects of Nicotine and Mecamylamine in Attenuating Smoking Satisfaction

Published

Journal Article

Separate and combined effects of nicotine and the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine were studied. Twelve smokers rated test cigarettes after administration of mecamylamine versus placebo capsules and nicotine versus nonnicotine preload. Smoking withdrawal symptoms, task performance, and cardiovascular activity were also measured. Mecamylamine attenuated smoking satisfaction, liking, and airway sensations. The nicotine preload similarly reduced the enjoyable aspects of subsequent test cigarettes, and this action of the preload was not prevented by mecamylamine. In contrast, mecamylamine blocked nicotine-related increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Conversely, nicotine counteracted mecamylamine's effects on tapping speed and orthostatic blood pressure response. Although each drug offset potential side effects of the other, they acted in unison to attenuate smoking satisfaction and should be evaluated in combination for smoking cessation.